How to Breed Mealworms in Australia
Breeding mealworms works differently to breeding crickets or roaches, because a mealworm isn't a separate species — it's the larval stage of the darkling beetle. Breeding them means deliberately letting some larvae complete their life cycle instead of feeding them out.
This guide covers the full cycle from larva to beetle to eggs. For general day-to-day care, see our mealworm care guide.
Quick answer: Set aside your largest larvae in a warm, bran-lined tub, let them pupate and emerge as beetles, and the beetles will lay hundreds of eggs directly in the substrate — expect a full cycle of roughly 3–6 months depending on temperature.
The Mealworm Life Cycle
Mealworms progress through four stages: egg, larva (the mealworm stage we feed out), pupa, and adult darkling beetle. Larvae molt repeatedly as they grow over several weeks to months, then pupate for a few weeks, before emerging as beetles that live for several months and lay hundreds of eggs directly into the substrate.
Setting Up a Breeding Colony
Use a separate, shallow tub from your feeding stock, lined a few centimetres deep with wheat bran, oat bran or pollard. Select your largest, most mature larvae to set aside for breeding — these are closest to pupating. Add a slice of potato or carrot every few days for moisture, replacing it before it moulds.
Protecting the Pupal Stage
Pupae are vulnerable — larvae and beetles will both cannibalize them if given the chance. Some keepers separate pupae into a small container until they emerge as beetles, which noticeably improves survival rates in a home setup.
Temperature and Speed
Warmer conditions (around 24–27°C) speed up every stage of the cycle; cooler conditions slow it down considerably, which is exactly why refrigeration is used to pause larvae growth for storage. Keep your breeding tub at room temperature or slightly warmer, away from the fridge-stored feeding stock.
From Eggs to New Larvae
Beetles lay eggs directly in the bran substrate, where they're easy to miss — expect new larvae to appear within a few of weeks of the beetles emerging. Once you see them, treat the tub as an ongoing colony: keep adding fresh bran and moisture, and start setting aside a new batch of mature larvae as they reach size.
Is Breeding Mealworms Worth It
Given how cheap mealworms are, how easy they are to store, and how long they last refrigerated, breeding is less about cost savings than it is for faster-consumed feeders like crickets. It's worth doing if you like having a self-sustaining supply, but buying in bulk and refrigerating is a perfectly practical alternative for most keepers.
Starting Your Colony
Here at Reptifauna, we ship mealworms across Australia (excl. WA & TAS). You can find our products below and order in some founding stock:
Browse the wider range in our mealworms & superworms collection.
Final Thoughts
Breeding mealworms means working with their full life cycle — set aside mature larvae, protect the pupae, and let the beetles do the rest. It's a slower process than breeding crickets, but very low-maintenance once established.
For the full day-to-day care picture, see our mealworm care guide, or browse the complete guide to feeder insects in Australia.